Saptashrungi, Nashik

Devotion has no name and worship has an identity to claim, yet both go hand in hand with faith.

While for 33crore hindu deities it must haven’t been difficult to be idolized in form of idols in temples,as every lane of every village , town, city has a temple for the sincere followers of rituals, traditions and customs.

But few of these places are of extreme importance not due to their leverage or higher authority of the deity , but for the vibrations in these temples.Without reason one can find calmness and tranquility even in a small old temple under a tree . After all vibrations and energies are what we all deal in at the micro level.

One of the three and half Shaktipeeths of Maharashtra, Saptashrungi is one of the most revered and worshipped goddess. Between the seven hills , is the temple of the Devi , where the right limb of Sati had presumably fallen off while it got cut by the Chakra of Krishna.This is one amongst the 51 Shaktipeeths of India.There are around 108 water reservoirs on this mountain and they are known as Kundas. A one and half hour drive from Nashik leads one to the foothills and a village of Vani. The Saptashrungi gad is about 20 mins from here.

Beautiful scenery, mountains on all sides, well paved road to the top and road signs in between make a nice drive up the hill. The cliffs along give a scenic view to the light and shadow game of sun.

Until last few years , it was big climb up the steps to reach the temple, but since last 5/6 years Maharashtra Govt has set up a ropeway ,a kind of trolley care that takes the pilgrims in less than a minute and it is well handled by the Adivasi Development Management Authority .

The new trolley which has 3/ 4 cars attached

It was surprising to see the premises, surrounding area, shops, ropeway all spotlessly clean. There was no trace of dirt or scattered garbage unlike many pilgrimage sites where millions of people flock in and it is unmanageable.

The passage to go to ropeway.

For once, one forgets that this is the same temple where one had to climb for an hour without any resting places in between and no basic amenities were there then.

Once you buy a ticket and go through teh several ticket checking systems which operate smoothly, there are shops to buy offerings for devi like flowers, garlands, sarees, and much more. One can find the local pedas( mawa sweet) in different flavours like Mango, strawberry, kesar , elaichi etc for sale and offering.

The spotless clean are which sells puja offerings.

There are small cabins to remove and keep your shoes before you move forward to the ropeway.

Now one sees the best of everything available and in the most subtle way, there is no noise ,no chaos and all the mechanisms including man and machinery work in sync .

There are washrooms at every entry and exit which are surprisingly clean and odorless. There are staff which are continously cleaning the area and the inside premises.

washrooms at places

stairs with compressed rubber

There is a food area too once you come down where several refreshments are available for the people.

Certainly one should avoid the special days when lakhs of worshippers flock in a day like Purnima, Ekadashi, Chaitra Navatri, Thursdays, Fridays etc.

It is a rarest of view when you reach inside the temple and have a glimpse of the larger than life statue of Devi Saptashrungi. Photos inside the temple and of idol are not permitted and one forgets the same when the vibrant and serene atmosphere mesmerizes mind.

Saptshrungi Temple on the hills. View from the parking area.

There is huge parking area for buses, cars and more than 1000 vehicles can be parked in it.

There is a refreshment area with washrooms available before you alight the ropeway.

Tickets are very nominal and senior citizens get a discount ,after showing the aadhar card.

All the staff is well behaved and well mannered. Even the local shopkeepers do not misguide on any small thing neither do they coax you to buy.

Shoes can be removed in small cabins inside the building before going for the ropeway.

10 persons are allowed inside one trolley car .

Doors close automatically , once the time for departure is set.

It takes hardly a minute to reach to the top and one has to climb few stairs to reach the garbagriha. The stairs are covered with compressed rubber which is used for making tracks. It gives a soothing and relief from pain in the feet while walking.

All the system is managed by locals and they do it efficiently.

Inside the premises of temple too, there are no boards for donation or counters to pay, donate or perform a certain puja.

Such places of utmost positive energy bring more life and positivity to the worshippers when one can just go and have a peaceful darshan.